Help Upgrading Alienware X51 Graphics Card

[38devand]

Okay so I've seen other people have asked this question but I can't help but want to ask as well just to be 'really' sure. I always get nervous when buying stuff for my pc, but I have been having problems running some newer games and I need to upgrade.

Here is copy pasted info from Speccy:

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7 3770 @ 3.40GHz 54 °C
Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Alienware 06G6JW (CPU 1) 28 °C
Graphics
E241i-B1 (1920x1080@60Hz)
1535MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (NVIDIA) 45 °C
Storage
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH164 ATA Device (SATA) 38 °C
Optical Drives
DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
HL-DT-ST DVDRWBD CA40N ATA Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

I looked through the inside of my tower and couldn't find any sticker like I've read that is supposed to be displayed for the PSU info, but took a look at my AC/DC adapter and the only info on it that I could make out was this:

AC/DC Adapter

Input: 100-240v ~ 4.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5v - 16.9A

And here is a link to the graphics card that I was thinking about buying: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt

Will there be a problem with me using that card? I selected it because, after looking at the alienware website, that particular card, the 960, is the card that is used in the top of the line tier of X51 pc's that are available to purchase today. I figured that it would work because of that but I need to know for sure.

I love my pc and have a pretty good grasp on most software but I have never been the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware. Please any help would be very appreciated!

 

[Clark_Melo]

The EVGA ACX 2.0 960 does not fit, and it is 10.1 inches. The OP did say it was about half an inch too short, which means 9.5 inches is about the maximum length. If you have the case, go ahead and stick a tape measure in there and see just how much room you've got. That will tell you definitely if it will fit or not.

Thanks for your answer. As I am living in Australia, the options of different GTX 960 are very limited. I can't even find any 9.5 inch one here, almost all of them are above this length.

Anyway, I will keep looking for any compatible cards. If I fail, I am going to buy the EVGA mini one

 

[felixnilsson98]

If you can run a GTX 660 (a 140W TDP) then you should easily run a GTX 960, a much more powerful card with a 120W TDP. I would recommend getting the full sized version from EVGA though, the single fan variants are louder and hotter than double or triple fan options.

Woody

Are you sure? I've heard a lot of people saying that the x51 is almost imposible to upgrade your gpu because of the powersuply being so small duo to the dimentions of the case. I would be very happy if i can bump my internals that high because i think that my curent gpu is failing on me 🙁 My x51 was bought roughly 14 months ago if that makes any difference

 

[archietech]

Nah you still helped. I just got the smaller 960 with single fan yesterday and it works great! It is a tad louder than the 660 but I'll deal with it. It was ridiculous how the dual fan couldn't fit. The x51 just has a really crappy casing. I'll never buy a dell/alienware again. I should have learned my lesson before but... Nope. Will only build my own towers from now on. Thanks for the help!

Hi there, may I ask which GTX 960 you chose? Is the one you mentioned at the beginning? (EVGA GTX 960 MINI Superclocked) As I have the same issue here now, I really need your advise.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, the one posted in the original post is the one he ended up using and fit properly
This one: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt

aloha ladies and gents,

on the strength of this thread i just went out and bought one of these cards for my x51 as all the games i used to play stopped working (thanks nvidia!)

i can report it is working 100% and awesome

thanks guys!

 

[whale20018]

I have AX51R2 , when i change the batty to 330W, i use the EVE 960 4G graphic, the computer runs very good, and never had shut down problem

 

[Kody_1]

I have AX51R2 , when i change the batty to 330W, i use the EVE 960 4G graphic, the computer runs very good, and never had shut down problem

Could you explain in further detail in what you did? I have the same model and was looking to beef up my pc

 

[Woody1999]

The stock power supply/brick that comes with the X51 is capable of running a GTX 660 (which has a 140W TDP) and so it is perfectly capable of running a GTX 960 (which has a 120W TDP). The only thing you should look out for is size, most full sized models don't fit.

Woody

 

[William_13]

Nah you still helped. I just got the smaller 960 with single fan yesterday and it works great! It is a tad louder than the 660 but I'll deal with it. It was ridiculous how the dual fan couldn't fit. The x51 just has a really crappy casing. I'll never buy a dell/alienware again. I should have learned my lesson before but... Nope. Will only build my own towers from now on. Thanks for the help!

Hi there, may I ask which GTX 960 you chose? Is the one you mentioned at the beginning? (EVGA GTX 960 MINI Superclocked) As I have the same issue here now, I really need your advise.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, the one posted in the original post is the one he ended up using and fit properly
This one: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt

aloha ladies and gents,

on the strength of this thread i just went out and bought one of these cards for my x51 as all the games i used to play stopped working (thanks nvidia!)

i can report it is working 100% and awesome

thanks guys!

when you say stopped working do you mean you could watch video and hte like but any game would crash? because im having that problem right now and thought it was a driver issue

 

[ClarkXK]

The stock power supply/brick that comes with the X51 is capable of running a GTX 660 (which has a 140W TDP) and so it is perfectly capable of running a GTX 960 (which has a 120W TDP). The only thing you should look out for is size, most full sized models don't fit.

Woody

Hi Woody, I am experiencing the same issue here. I have called Dell to ask whether X51 can support GTX960 and they told me that they do not recommend such upgrade because the power supply of X51 supports up to 350W only. My X51 is currently running a GTX660 as well. Is it true that X51 cannot run a GTX960?

 

[ClarkXK]

Okay so I've seen other people have asked this question but I can't help but want to ask as well just to be 'really' sure. I always get nervous when buying stuff for my pc, but I have been having problems running some newer games and I need to upgrade.

Here is copy pasted info from Speccy:

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7 3770 @ 3.40GHz 54 °C
Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Alienware 06G6JW (CPU 1) 28 °C
Graphics
E241i-B1 (1920x1080@60Hz)
1535MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (NVIDIA) 45 °C
Storage
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH164 ATA Device (SATA) 38 °C
Optical Drives
DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
HL-DT-ST DVDRWBD CA40N ATA Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

I looked through the inside of my tower and couldn't find any sticker like I've read that is supposed to be displayed for the PSU info, but took a look at my AC/DC adapter and the only info on it that I could make out was this:

AC/DC Adapter

Input: 100-240v ~ 4.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5v - 16.9A

And here is a link to the graphics card that I was thinking about buying: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt

Will there be a problem with me using that card? I selected it because, after looking at the alienware website, that particular card, the 960, is the card that is used in the top of the line tier of X51 pc's that are available to purchase today. I figured that it would work because of that but I need to know for sure.

I love my pc and have a pretty good grasp on most software but I have never been the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware. Please any help would be very appreciated!

Hey devand,
May I know how is the new graphic card working on your PC? I am considering upgrading my graphics card as well and I called in to ask Dell whether I can upgrade to GTX960 and their answer is no. Does your X51 come with a 330W power supply?

 

[Woody1999]

The stock power supply/brick that comes with the X51 is capable of running a GTX 660 (which has a 140W TDP) and so it is perfectly capable of running a GTX 960 (which has a 120W TDP). The only thing you should look out for is size, most full sized models don't fit.

Woody

Hi Woody, I am experiencing the same issue here. I have called Dell to ask whether X51 can support GTX960 and they told me that they do not recommend such upgrade because the power supply of X51 supports up to 350W only. My X51 is currently running a GTX660 as well. Is it true that X51 cannot run a GTX960?

Obviously the techs at Dell just have a list of replies to repeat, they don't actually think about the question. As I've said before, the GTX 960 uses less power than the GTX 660. Therefore, you can easily run the GTX 960.

Woody

 

[itsbhenry]

The stock power supply/brick that comes with the X51 is capable of running a GTX 660 (which has a 140W TDP) and so it is perfectly capable of running a GTX 960 (which has a 120W TDP). The only thing you should look out for is size, most full sized models don't fit.

Woody

Hi Woody, I am experiencing the same issue here. I have called Dell to ask whether X51 can support GTX960 and they told me that they do not recommend such upgrade because the power supply of X51 supports up to 350W only. My X51 is currently running a GTX660 as well. Is it true that X51 cannot run a GTX960?

Obviously the techs at Dell just have a list of replies to repeat, they don't actually think about the question. As I've said before, the GTX 960 uses less power than the GTX 660. Therefore, you can easily run the GTX 960.

Woody

Hi Woody,

Read the whole thread and everything sounds pretty good. I trust you to know your knowledge as you are right, a lot of companies just have copy and paste replies and rarely provide decent and thought-out responses.

As for the issue at hand. I want to upgrade my Alienware X51 R2 to run an Oculus Rift when it comes out in Q1 of 2016. Here are the required specs: http://www.pcgamer.com/oculus-rift-pc-requirements-revealed/

As for my system. I have a GeForce GTX 645 with an i5-4440 CPU @3.10GHz. 8 GB Ram. I know I can upgrade my CPU but as for the GPU, I want to upgrade to the above mentioned GTX960. Just want to make sure my PSU can handle it.

Also saw this video about upgrading to the GTX970: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVi9puLG00A

Your response? Thanks in advanced for the help!

 

[Woody1999]

I have never heard of the GTX 645. Is it possible you can list the specs of the power brick for your X51? If it is anything above 450W I guess you should be fine. 400W might be pushing it.

Woody

 

[itsbhenry]

I have never heard of the GTX 645. Is it possible you can list the specs of the power brick for your X51? If it is anything above 450W I guess you should be fine. 400W might be pushing it.

Woody

Alright Woody, it took a bit for me to actually figure out the specs for my PSU as when I opened it I believe the power supply was actually under my graphics card and I did not feel like taking it out. I ordered my X51 almost 2 years ago and it was a special way as I got it for cheaper. Now that I'm older, I'd like to learn a lot more about building my own gaming PC/upgrading this X51.

That being said, I believe my X51 only has a 250W Power supply according to this listing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883155731

Only difference is my processor is an i5-4440. Everything else is the same. Any idea for the cheapest upgrade I can do with it? Keep in mind I am fairly new to upgrading/building PCs but I'm very tech savvy. I already know I want the GTX970 but I need advice on a new PSU, Case, Fans, and possibly processor for the best amount of money. Thanks for your help!

 

[Woody1999]

I'm not sure you can upgrade that PC, then. Being a small form factor PC, I don't believe the X51 has a standard ATX power supply. Can you possibly take a picture of the power supply for me please?

Woody

 

[itsbhenry]

I'm not sure you can upgrade that PC, then. Being a small form factor PC, I don't believe the X51 has a standard ATX power supply. Can you possibly take a picture of the power supply for me please?

Woody

You are correct. The power supply is indeed external I figured out. However, I can upgrade it to a 330W power supply and I also read that that would be enough to support a GTX 970. In any case, could I not simply transfer my components to a new case and use an internal powersupply while I switch over?

 

[Xiao_zhai]

Hi there,

If you are looking for the max graphic upgrade for your Alienware X51 without having to mod your stock case, having done my homework on this , I thought I will share with you.

For the upgrade, I believe your Alienware is the X51-R2 based on your processor. You will need to confirm this. This is important because the first generation Alienware x51-R1 would not be be able to power the GPU sufficiently and stably. If you do have Alienware x51-R1 it's still salvageable, you will just need to source and change a daughterboard in the Alienware x51. Google the Alienware forum, for more information.

Your PSU will depend on the original CPU it came with, it will be a 330W PSU if it's an i7. All other the i3 and i5 come with a 250W PSU. You must have a 330W PSU for the upgrade.

If money is not so much an issue, you can go for the
eVGA GTX970 970 superclocked blower style (which is the max card you can put in without modifying your case) - my top choice and recommendation.

There is a video someone had put up on YouTube showing it.

PNY and gain-ward have similar GTX 970 offerings which will fit. And you must get a blower style due to the nature of the case.

I haven't bought mine mainly because there is no such stock in Australia. I am looking to order one from B&H Photovideo in USA but the shipping had been rather exorbitant.

 

[Jasper_3]

Nah you still helped. I just got the smaller 960 with single fan yesterday and it works great! It is a tad louder than the 660 but I'll deal with it. It was ridiculous how the dual fan couldn't fit. The x51 just has a really crappy casing. I'll never buy a dell/alienware again. I should have learned my lesson before but... Nope. Will only build my own towers from now on. Thanks for the help!

I'm a bit late to the show but if you're still around can you tell me if you did any other mods to get the Graphics card to work or did you just stick it in.
Thanks,